Thread: an upgrade to a solid rough out tool

Originally Posted by NeilS

Busy with some back orders a the moment, so that will have to wait for a bit, but interested to hear how others go with theirs.

Got my back orders into the gallery yesterday morning, so gave the Ripsnorter a bit more of a run yesterday afternoon.

Put a radius on the tip and went to work on hollowing out a smallish chunk of ancient red gum (read brittle). Still using only a short temporary handle for now.

Nothing special to begin with... some vibration, mainly in the blank itself as I started to hollow. Increased speed (to compensate for slower momentum at centre) and lighter cuts helped to reduce vibration a bit. I will scoop out initial core with gouges and/or forstner bit next time.

As hollow expanded, larger 'shavings' started to come off the tip and cuts began to run more smoothly down the insides.

Got quite a good shoulder undercut without having to resort to a special tool for that, although the mouth was a tad more open than I would normally have on the shape/size I was working on. Photo attached. The diameter of the shaft is a factor here. A tool suited to larger deeper forms. Remembering that there are smaller siblings...

As expected, by the time I was completing the full inner depth of the closed form the Ripsnorter started to really come into its own. Working with up to 6" of overhang from the toolrest, I was getting firm vibration free cuts across the sweep of the bottom (the part that I have always find the most challenging with closed forms) and getting a smooth ripple free sanding-ready finish at that. I felt that I could have gone confidently beyond the 6" overhang, but will wait until I have added a proper length handle before venturing there.

The tool is very heavy to handle until the tip is at least 4-5" overhung and cutting, at which point it comes into balance and is a pleasure to use.

I will now add a 550mm handle to the beast and see how deep it will go!

Prior to yesterday I was thinking of adding a heavy wood for the handle to help with balance, but now I'm not quite sure. With very deep hollow forms (given that I only do a few of those a year) the extra handle weight would work, but for medium sized forms it may be too tail heavy.

How have others found their Ripsnorters?

Neil

That's a beautiful form. I haven't even assembled my RS, so I can't offer any feedback.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

That's a beautiful form. I haven't even assembled my RS, so I can't offer any feedback.

Ta WW

BTW, I found that the ferrule that came with mine didn't even fit on the shaft, so had to make up one. Perhaps I got one by mistake from one of the younger siblings....

Neil

Prior to yesterday I was thinking of adding a heavy wood for the handle to help with balance, but now I'm not quite sure. With very deep hollow forms (given that I only do a few of those a year) the extra handle weight would work, but for medium sized forms it may be too tail heavy.

This is why I have the 10mm Senior to bridge the gap even though it has the same shaft length as Junior, it does the job of bridging between the two.
Anyway, I figured the Ripsnorter would prove a little unwieldy close in and I found this to be true so far. I have tried long and short handles on the original and long is good for the big n' deep turning. Short does not really do much for me, too much steel and too much length. It felt kacky handed and arkward.

But I use the Senior to get around the problem.Such as for close up work, round the lip, cleaning up the bottom etc

I found that the ferrule that came with mine didn't even fit on the shaft, so had to make up one. Perhaps I got one by mistake from one of the younger siblings....

Hi Neil,
I thought of using a bigger ferrule, but the next size in Stainless is 32mm or 1.1/4" and looks large and chunky. So I opted to stick with 25mm size, hmm, not sure I understand what you meant by not fitting the shaft. The ferrule will neatly slide over the 25mm shaft, I just tried it on one of the spares. get back to me, I've got a couple of bigger ones your welcome to one.

Originally Posted by hughie

Hi Neil,
I thought of using a bigger ferrule, but the next size in Stainless is 32mm or 1.1/4" and looks large and chunky. So I opted to stick with 25mm size, hmm, not sure I understand what you meant by not fitting the shaft. The ferrule will neatly slide over the 25mm shaft, I just tried it on one of the spares. get back to me, I've got a couple of bigger ones your welcome to one.

No, Hughie, I'm not sure I understood what I meant. I must have been having another one of those 'senior moments'...

When I got around to turning up the handle yesterday I realised that the ferrule you supplied was dimensioned to go over the tang, not the shaft... . I'm so used to gouges and the like not having tangs that I confused myself.

Anyway, having found a larger ferrule I proceeded with that. The resulting 'tool' is quite impressive. All I need now is a full suit of armour, plus a steed, and I can go jousting....

Now I'm wondering if I also need a Senior for those senior moments...

Neil

Originally Posted by NeilS

Anyway, having found a larger ferrule I proceeded with that. The resulting 'tool' is quite impressive. All I need now is a full suit of armour, plus a steed, and I can go jousting....

Neil

Originally Posted by NeilS

BTW, I found that the ferrule that came with mine didn't even fit on the shaft, so had to make up one. Perhaps I got one by mistake from one of the younger siblings....

Ferrule? Ferrule? They came with a ferrule? I hope the garbo hasn't been yet...

Now I'm wondering if I also need a Senior for those senior moments...

been there and done that, anyway I have a couple of Seniors available if you need one.

Skew If the ferrule has gone out with the garbage I can send you another. just pm me gratis my friend

Sweet! A ferrule and an allen key and, I think, a spare grub-screw. ('cept I wasn't expecting one and there was a hole in the bag and my floor is covered in sawdust and... )

Wish I'd known about the allen key, 'cos I don't have one to fit and have just been snugging it up finger-tight every 5 mins with a jeweller's screwdriver and a lot of cursing. I really should get around to putting a handle on it before much longer, so I can see what it can really do!

Ummm... I hope you're not going to tell me that the first batch you made up had ferrules, too?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Wish I'd known about the allen key, 'cos I don't have one to fit and have just been snugging it up finger-tight every 5 mins with a jeweller's screwdriver and a lot of cursing. I really should get around to putting a handle on it before much longer, so I can see what it can really do!

Ummm... I hope you're not going to tell me that the first batch you made up had ferrules, too?

Yep they all come with allen key grub screws and ferrules in a small plastic bag, better check the trash real quick ...oh no

Originally Posted by hughie

Yep they all come with allen key grub screws and ferrules in a small plastic bag, better check the trash real quick ...oh no

Way too late. But never mind... the key for the Ripsnorter fits both.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Way too late. But never mind... the key for the Ripsnorter fits both.

yep I have standardised all the hollowers m6 grub screws 3mm allen keys.


So what are you missing now?

Besides my marbles?

I should be right, I'll scavenge up some copper pipe to make a ferrule once I get around to making handles. At my current rate of progress, that should be around 2010.

Until then I'm working on my Cliffy imitation.